To complete the modernization of transport infrastructure, Mariupol has managed to attract credit and grant funds in the amount of EUR18 million. Due to attracted finances, Mariupol will purchase 72 low-floor modern trolleybuses, 9 units of special equipment, perform overhaul of the contact network and reconstruction of trolleybus depot № 4. The City Mayor Vadim Boichenko has signed an agreement on the allocation of credit with international partners today in Kiev.
There is a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) of EUR 13 million, a loan from Clean Technology Fund - EUR 2 million and an investment grant from the Eastern European Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership which amounted to EUR 3 million among the attracted investments. The main feature of lending is a low interest rate. The grace period will be 3 years and the general term of the loan is 13 years.
It is worth mentioning that negotiations have been held for two years during which the city has managed to prove its reliability in the opinion of the world community. The acquisition of trolleybuses will partially solve the problem with a shortage of public transport which today has counted more than 250 units. In addition, the purchase of electric transport will reduce the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere.
The Director of ‘Mariupol tram trolleybus management’ public utility Vitaliy Donev said that the company has already prepared for the arrival of transport and its further maintenance. He also stressed that the implementation of the project will create about 500 jobs in MTTM.
It should be pointed out that the city has purchased more than 90 units of public transport and installed 26 stop pavilions with information boards for just 2 years. A modern dispatch service was launched last year. The total investment is about USD 300 million.
